'Saiyaara' star Ahaan Panday's mother, best-selling fitness author Deanne, spills secrets to be fit at any age without gym; shares guide to eating clean

Time of India

3 days ago

As Bollywood newcomer Ahaan Panday gains attention for his striking looks and acting debut in Saiyaara, much of the limelight is also turning toward his mother,
Deanne
Panday. Known for her impeccable health and youthful energy, Deanne continues to impress with her commitment to wellness. Far from simply being a celebrity mom, Deanne has carved her own powerful identity as a fitness expert, author, and wellness coach. With a glowing career that spans decades, her story is an inspiration for those who believe in the transformative power of healthy living.
A Former Model Who Became a Fitness Pioneer
Deanne Panday's journey into the world of health and fitness didn't begin in adulthood — it started long before fitness became trendy. Having once worked as a professional model, she later transitioned into the health industry, becoming a prominent name among India's wellness circles. Over the years, she has trained several Bollywood celebrities, including Bipasha Basu, John Abraham, Dino Morea, Jacqueline Fernandez, Preity Zinta, and others. Her expertise in fitness training and nutrition has earned her widespread recognition in the celebrity community and beyond.
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Early Beginnings in Health and Fitness
Deanne's interest in wellness took root in her childhood. As she shared in a conversation with
SME Futures
,
she was just 11 when she began exercising. Inspired by her sister, who was also a model, she started following Jane Fonda workout routines on videotape. Her early love for staying active only deepened over time. When she joined college, she used her allowance to buy a membership at a luxury hotel gym—demonstrating her passion and self-discipline even as a teenager.
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Even before wellness became a buzzword, Deanne had already embraced many of its principles. She adopted a daily regimen of yoga and developed a preference for eating clean, consuming organic foods regularly long before such practices were widely followed. Her disciplined approach to fitness was rooted in passion, not trends.
'I started practicing health and wellness at a very young age. I solicited yoga and practiced eating organic food on a daily basis before these trends even came out in the open..' she told the magazine.
Daily Nutrition: A Conscious and Clean Diet
Deanne's dietary habits are meticulously crafted and deeply rooted in mindful eating. In an interview with the
Hindustan Times
, she outlined her daily food practices. She begins her morning with half a liter of water, followed by an herbal infusion made from nearly 30 different ingredients sourced from Kerala. Her breakfast usually includes idli—an easily digestible and healthy South Indian dish—along with nuts like almonds and walnuts and a variety of seasonal fruits. On other days, her breakfast may consist of oats combined with fruits or Greek yogurt mixed with
organic honey
.
When it comes to beverages, she prefers to stay hydrated with coconut water, green tea, and lemon water. She avoids processed drinks and only occasionally sips a fizzy drink. Notably, she gave up protein powders and processed health supplements over a decade ago, instead relying on whole, natural foods.
Her lunch typically consists of traditional home-cooked food—vegetables, salads, lentils, and her favorite, sweet potatoes. For carbohydrates, she opts for healthier varieties like black rice, red rice, or quinoa. Deanne maintains a 90:10 ratio in her diet, as mentioned in her
SME Futures
interview, eating clean 90% of the time while allowing herself to indulge in her cravings for the remaining 10%.
Eat Smart, Live Smart: Deanne's Clean Eating Advice
In an interview with
Cosmopolitan India,
Deanne shared valuable tips for people looking to enhance their diet. She strongly advocates including natural, unprocessed foods in daily meals—nuts, pulses, grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables should form the foundation of a balanced diet. She places high importance on consuming locally grown, seasonal produce over imported fruits and vegetables, which she warns are often treated with chemicals to prolong shelf life.
She also recommends incorporating a variety of Indian herbs and spices into everyday meals for their numerous health benefits. Ingredients like turmeric, cumin, cinnamon, fennel, and cardamom, she explained, are powerful natural boosters of health and immunity. Colorful vegetables, added to meals for both taste and nutrients, also form an essential part of her eating philosophy.
Deanne cautions against the trap of boredom-induced snacking, which became especially common during the pandemic lockdowns. Instead of turning to chips or sweets, she suggests eating small portions more frequently. Her go-to meal when seeking comfort and nutrition is brown rice khichdi cooked with fresh vegetables, a dish she favors for its gut-friendly properties. She's also a firm believer in the power of probiotics such as yogurt, which help maintain digestive health.
To enhance immunity, Deanne suggests consuming fruits rich in Vitamin C—like oranges, papayas, and gooseberries. When leafy greens are lacking in the diet, she recommends supplements like spirulina tablets. She also supports the use of ashwagandha capsules to improve immunity and manage stress, as long as the recommended dosage is followed.
Her Fitness Regimen: Two Decades of Yoga and Discipline
Yoga has been at the center of Deanne's fitness journey for over 20 years. In her Hindustan Times interview, she emphasized the lasting impact of yoga on both physical and mental health. For her, yoga is not just a form of exercise but a way of life that brings stability, peace, and mindfulness.
She follows a consistent workout schedule that balances strength training with flexibility and mental clarity. Her love for yoga has helped her remain grounded while navigating the often chaotic worlds of modeling, celebrity training, and authorship.
From Fitness Guru to Bestselling Author
Deanne Panday's influence isn't limited to her training sessions. She entered the world of writing in 2011 with her first book, I'm Not Stressed: Secrets for a Calm Mind and a Healthy Body, which was published by
Random House
India. The book offered readers a comprehensive guide to managing stress through mindful living and wellness practices.
Encouraged by the success of her debut, she followed up with a second book in 2013 titled Shut Up and Train!: A Complete Fitness Guide for Men and Women. This publication delved into fitness techniques and training strategies suitable for people across age groups and body types. Both books achieved bestseller status and further cemented her reputation as a trusted wellness voice in India.
A Lasting Legacy in Wellness
Deanne Panday has proved that discipline, passion, and self-care are the real ingredients for ageless beauty and sustainable health. With decades of experience behind her and an ever-growing influence in the fitness industry, she stands as a role model for anyone seeking to live a balanced, healthy life. As her son Ahaan steps into the glitzy world of Bollywood, Deanne continues to shine in her own right—as a health icon, a guide, and a woman who redefined what it means to age gracefully.